3 thoughts on “Nursing Interventions for Mastitis”

“Reassure the patient that breast-feeding during mastitis won’t harm her infant because the infant is the source of the infection.” The infant is NOT the SOURCE of mastitis. Milk stasis, engorgement, psychological stress, weaken immune system and immunological process, overproduction of milk, pressure on the breast, maternal malnutrition, missed or infrequent feedings, rapid weaning, poor attachment or nipple damage with the presence of Staphylococcus aureus or candida are all causes of mastitis. While the mother and baby can still safely nurse (as she is developing and passing along antibodies to the exposed pathogen via breastmilk) it is very rare that it is caused from the infant (with the infant as the carrier or root cause) and more often than not it’s caused by these other factors. Telling patients that their babies gave them mastitis furthers resentment to breastfeeding and their bond, while not addressing the true root of the problem and preventing further issues.